Abstract: An artificial spinal disc that may be implanted between adjacent vertebrae in the spine to replace, repair or augment a natural spinal disc. The spinal disc implant is characterized by one or more biomechanical properties that approximate those of a natural spinal disc and is durable enough to function in the body for long time periods, amongst other advantages.

Abstract: The invention provides medical device with a retention section for anchoring the medical device in the body of a living being, a drainage section for draining fluids from the body, e.g. urine, and a tip which facilitates insertion into the body. During the anchoring of the medical device, the tip is retracted toward a distal end of the device and for improving the users control over the position of the tip relative to other parts of the device and thus to ensure the free flow of fluids through the device, indicating means is provided to give a visual, audible, or tactile indication of at least a first position of the tip relative to the remaining part of the medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device such as a catheter having in a proximal end a braided portion being operable between two configurations, one for insertion of the device into the body and one for retaining the catheter in the body. To reduce ingrowth of body tissue, the braided portion comprises two parts, a first part forming paths for a body liquid, e.g. urine, to be drained from the body through the device to a place of disposal, and a second part having a structure which counteracts cell adhesion better than the first part. During use, the first part is drawn into the second part whereby the cells are separated from first part by the second part and therefore ingrowth of body tissue is reduced or avoided completely. The invention further provides a method of making a device with a braided portion and being improved with respect to ingrowth of body tissue.

Abstract: A compress suitable for use in hot and cold treatments of an animal or human body part is described, such compress comprising a flexible container containing a formulation comprising an aqueous solution and discrete particles of a crosslinked, water-absorbing polymer. In one embodiment, the compress is contained in a sealed plastic bag. The formulation used in the compress can further comprise an anti-freeze agent, a salt compound, a glycol compound or mixtures thereof. The crosslinked, water-absorbing polymer in one embodiment is polyacrylamide or sodium polyacrylate.

Abstract: An emulsion polymerized polymer, a process for its preparation and its use in the form of an adhesive particularly in surgical or medical dressings or plasters wherein the polymer is derived by polymerizing in an aqueous emulsion a composition comprising:(A) a substantially water-insoluble monomer; with(B) (1) a substantially water-insoluble polar monomer; and/or(B) (2) a substantially water-insoluble polyfunctional monomer; in the presence of a substantially water-soluble surfactant which has been converted to a substantially water-insoluble form after polymerization of monomers (A) and (B).